Percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts: a prospective study

Comparative evaluation of transpapillary drainage with nasopancreatic drain and stent in patients with large pseudocysts located near tail of pancreas

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic transpapillary drainage is usually not advocated for large pseudocysts for fear of infection. We compared efficacy of transpapillary drainage with nasopancreatic drain (NPD) or stent alone in large pseudocysts (>6 cm) located near tail of pancreas.

METHODS

In a prospective study, a 5-Fr stent/NPD was placed across/near pancreatic duct disruption in 11 patients (nine chronic and two acute pancreatitis) with large pseudocysts located near tail of pancreas. The patients were followed up for resolution of pseudocyst, need for surgery, and complications.

RESULTS

Pseudocysts diameter ranged from 7 to 15 cm. An attempt to place NPD was made in five patients and a stent in six patients. In NPD group, deep cannulation could not be achieved in one patient; it was treated successfully with percutaneous drainage. In four patients with partial duct disruption, NPD was successfully placed bridging disruption and all had resolution within 6 weeks. In stent group, five had partial and one had complete duct disruption, who later recovered by placement of a stent. Of five patients with partial disruption, one recovered uneventfully at 6 weeks with stent bridging disruption. Other four patients (bridging stent in three) developed febrile illness and infection of pseudocyst. They required additional percutaneous drainage and antibiotics. There was no recurrence of pseudocysts over follow-up of 16.4 months.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic transpapillary drainage with NPD bridging disruption is associated with good outcome in patients with large pseudocysts at tail end of pancreas. However, there was increased frequency of infection when stent was used for drainage.

Italian consensus guidelines for chronic pancreatitis

This paper gives practical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis. Statements have been elaborated by working teams of experts, by searching for and analysing the literature, and submitted to a consensus process by using a Delphi modified procedure. The statements report recommendations on clinical and nutritional approach, assessment of pancreatic function, treatment of exocrine pancreatic failure and of secondary diabetes, treatment of pain and prevention of painful relapses. Moreover, the role of endoscopy in approaching pancreatic pain, pancreatic stones, duct narrowing and dilation, and complications was considered. Recommendations for most appropriate use of various imaging techniques and of ultrasound endoscopy are reported. Finally, a group of recommendations are addressed to the surgical treatment, with definition of right indications, timing, most appropriate procedures and techniques in different clinical conditions and targets, and clinical and functional outcomes following surgery.

Pancreatic pseudocysts in post-gastrectomy patients treated via the duodenal minor papilla with an oblique-viewing endoscope

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients after Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction is challenging because of difficulties in insertion of the endoscope into the afferent loop, which is a great distance away from the papilla of Vater, and cannulation into the desired duct from a reverse position. To facilitate ERCP, various endoscopes have been selected according to operator preference. Previously, we reported that an oblique-viewing endoscope (XK-200; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) can contribute to successful performance of ERCP and associated procedures in Billroth II gastrectomy patients. We report here our experience with two post-gastrectomy patients with chronic pancreatitis who were treated with an oblique-viewing endoscope from the minor papilla.

Therapeutic intervention and surgery of acute pancreatitis

The clinical course of acute pancreatitis varies from mild to severe. Assessment of severity and etiology of acute pancreatitis is important to determine the strategy of management for acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is classified according to its morphology into edematous pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis. Edematous pancreatitis accounts for 80-90% of acute pancreatitis and remission can be achieved in most of the patients without receiving any special treatment. Necrotizing pancreatitis occupies 10-20% of acute pancreatitis and the mortality rate is reported to be 14-25%. The mortality rate is particularly high (34-40%) for infected pancreatic necrosis that is accompanied by bacterial infection in the necrotic tissue of the pancreas (Widdison and Karanjia in Br J Surg 80:148-154, 1993; Ogawa et al. in Research of the actual situations of acute pancreatitis. Research Group for Specific Retractable Diseases, Specific Disease Measure Research Work Sponsored by Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Heisei 12 Research Report, pp 17-33, 2001). On the other hand, the mortality rate is reported to be 0-11% for sterile pancreatic necrosis which is not accompanied by bacterial infection (Ogawa et al. 2001; Bradely and Allen in Am J Surg 161:19-24, 1991; Rattner et al. in Am J Surg 163:105-109, 1992). The Japanese (JPN) Guidelines were designed to provide recommendations regarding the management of acute pancreatitis in patients having a variety of clinical characteristics. This article describes the guidelines for the surgical management and interventional therapy of acute pancreatitis by incorporating the latest evidence for the management of acute pancreatitis in the Japanese-language version of JPN guidelines 2010. Eleven clinical questions (CQ) are proposed: (1) worsening clinical manifestations and hematological data, positive blood bacteria culture test, positive blood endotoxin test, and the presence of gas bubbles in and around the pancreas on CT scan are indirect findings of infected pancreatic necrosis; (2) bacteriological examination by fine needle aspiration is useful for making a definitive diagnosis of infected pancreatic necrosis; (3) conservative treatment should be performed in sterile pancreatic necrosis; (4) infected pancreatic necrosis is an indication for interventional therapy. However, conservative treatment by antibiotic administration is also available in patients who are in stable general condition; (5) early surgery for necrotizing pancreatitis is not recommended, and it should be delayed as long as possible; (6) necrosectomy is recommended as a surgical procedure for infected necrosis; (7) after necrosectomy, a long-term follow-up paying attention to pancreatic function and complications including the stricture of the bile duct and the pancreatic duct is necessary; (8) drainage including percutaneous, endoscopic and surgical procedure should be performed for pancreatic abscess; (9) if the clinical findings of pancreatic abscess are not improved by percutaneous or endoscopic drainage, surgical drainage should be performed; (10) interventional treatment should be performed for pancreatic pseudocysts that give rise to symptoms, accompany complications or increase the diameter of cysts and (11) percutaneous drainage, endoscopic drainage or surgical procedures are selected in accordance with the conditions of individual cases.

Management of multiple and large pancreatic pseudocysts by endoscopic transpapillary nasopancreatic drainage alone

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic drainage of a single pseudocyst is a well-known treatment modality. Its role in the management of multiple pseudocysts is not well established. We evaluated the role of endoscopic transpapillary nasopancreatic drain (NPD) placement in the management of multiple and large pseudocysts.

METHODS

Over 3 yr (2001-2004), endoscopic transpapillary NPD placement was attempted in 11 patients (age range 12-50 yr, 10 men) with symptomatic communicating multiple pseudocysts of pancreas (three in two and two in nine cases). A 5Fr/7Fr NPD was placed across the most distal duct disruption or into one of the pseudocysts.

RESULTS

Eight patients had an underlying chronic pancreatitis and three patients had pseudocysts as sequelae of acute pancreatitis. The size of pseudocysts ranged from 2 to 14 cm (mean 7.5 cm). Eight patients (72.7%) had at least one pseudocyst more than 6 cm in size. Nine patients had a partial disruption and two patients had complete disruption of the pancreatic duct. The NPD was successfully placed in 10 of 11 (90.9%) patients. Postprocedure acute febrile illness in one patient was the only complication noted, which responded to intravenous antibiotics. All pseudocysts resolved in 4-8 wk in 7 of 7 patients with successful bridging of the most distal ductal disruption. There was no recurrence of the pseudocysts in a mean follow-up of 19.4 months. Two patients, in whom there was a complete disruption and the NPD could not bridge the disruption, required surgery for the nonresolution of pseudocysts. In one patient with partial ductal disruption that could not be bridged, there was complete resolution of one pseudocyst and a decrease in the size of the other pseudocyst from 12 to 4 cm. The NPD was replaced by a stent and both the pseudocysts resolved in 20 wk.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic transpapillary NPD placement is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of multiple and large pseudocysts, especially when there is partial ductal disruption, and the disruption can be bridged.

JPN Guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis: surgical management

Acute pancreatitis represents a spectrum of disease ranging from a mild, self-limited course to a rapidly progressive, severe illness. The mortality rate of severe acute pancreatitis exceeds 20%, and some patients diagnosed as mild to moderate acute pancreatitis at the onset of the disease may progress to a severe, life-threatening illness within 2–3 days. The Japanese (JPN) guidelines were designed to provide recommendations regarding the management of acute pancreatitis in patients having a diversity of clinical characteristics. This article sets forth the JPN guidelines for the surgical management of acute pancreatitis, excluding gallstone pancreatitis, by incorporating the latest evidence for the surgical management of severe pancreatitis in the Japanese-language version of the evidence-based Guidelines for the Management of Acute Pancreatitis published in 2003. Ten guidelines are proposed: (1) computed tomography-guided or ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for bacteriology should be performed in patients suspected of having infected pancreatic necrosis; (2) infected pancreatic necrosis accompanied by signs of sepsis is an indication for surgical intervention; (3) patients with sterile pancreatic necrosis should be managed conservatively, and surgical intervention should be performed only in selected cases, such as those with persistent organ complications or severe clinical deterioration despite maximum intensive care; (4) early surgical intervention is not recommended for necrotizing pancreatitis; (5) necrosectomy is recommended as the surgical procedure for infected pancreatic necrosis; (6) simple drainage should be avoided after necrosectomy, and either continuous closed lavage or open drainage should be performed; (7) surgical or percutaneous drainage should be performed for pancreatic abscess; (8) pancreatic abscesses for which clinical findings are not improved by percutaneous drainage should be subjected to surgical drainage immediately; (9) pancreatic pseudocysts that produce symptoms and complications or the diameter of which increases should be drained percutaneously or endoscopically; and (10) pancreatic pseudocysts that do not tend to improve in response to percutaneous drainage or endoscopic drainage should be managed surgically.

Treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts

According to the Atlanta classification an acute pseudocyst is a collection of pancreatic juice enclosed by a wall of fibrous or granulation tissue, which arises as a consequence of acute pancreatitis or pancreatic trauma, whereas a chronic pseudocyst is a collection of pancreatic juice enclosed by a wall of fibrous or granulation tissue, which arises as a consequence of chronic pancreatitis and lack an antecedent episode of acute pancreatitis. It is generally agreed that acute and chronic pseudocysts have a different natural history, though many reports do not differentiate between pseudocysts that complicate acute pancreatitis and those that complicate chronic disease. Observation--"conservative treatment"--of a patient with a pseudocyst is preponderantly based on the knowledge that spontaneous resolution can occur. It must, however, be admitted that there is substantial risk of complications or even death; first of all due to bleeding. There are no randomized studies for the management protocols for pancreatic pseudocysts. Therefore, today we have to rely on best clinical practice, but still certain advice may be given. First of all it is important to differentiate acute from chronic pseudocysts for management, but at the same time not miss cystic neoplasias. Conservative treatment should always be considered the first option (pseudocysts should not be treated just because they are there). However, if intervention is needed, a procedure that is well known should always be considered first. The results of percutaneous or endoscopic drainage are probably more dependent on the experience of the interventionist than the choice of procedure and if surgery is needed, an intern anastomosis can hold sutures not until several weeks (if possible 6 weeks).

An endoscopic perspective on pancreatic pseudocysts

Significant advances in endoscopic, radiologic, and surgical techniques have transformed the management of pancreatic pseudocysts. The present review focuses upon advances in the endoscopic management of pseudocysts and incorporation of these techniques into an overall management approach. Findings with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography often guide the choice of drainage method. Endoscopic drainage can be achieved through the transpapillary or transmural routes. EUS has increasingly become an integral part of transmural pseudocyst drainage.

Laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy

The purpose of the review was to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy for operative drainage of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy between June 1997 and July 2001 was performed. Data regarding etiology of pancreatitis, size of pseudocyst, operative time, complications, and pseudocyst recurrence were collected and reported as median values with ranges. Laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy was attempted in 6 patients. Pseudocyst etiology included gallstone pancreatitis (3), alcohol-induced pancreatitis (2), and post-ERCP pancreatitis (1). The cystogastrostomy was successfully performed laparoscopically in 5 of 6 patients. However, the procedure was converted to open after creation of the cystgastrostomy in 1 of these patients. There were no complications in the cases completed laparoscopically and no deaths in the entire group. No pseudocyst recurrences were observed with a median followup of 44 months (range 4-59 months). Laparoscopic pancreatic cystgastrostomy is a feasible surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts with a resultant low pseudocyst recurrence rate, length of stay, and low morbidity and mortality.

Minimally invasive approaches to the management of pancreatic pseudocysts: review of the literature

Although one third or more of pancreatic pseudocysts might resolve spontaneously, interventional therapy is required for most. Several minimally invasive management approaches are now available, including percutaneous drainage under radiologic control, endoscopic transpapillary or transmural drainage, and laparoscopic internal drainage. This paper reviews the methodology, applications, advantages, shortcomings, and results of these management approaches. A computerized search was made of the MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE, and EMBASE databases using the search words pancreatic and pseudocysts and all relevant articles in English Language or with English abstracts were retrieved. In addition, cross-references from the identified articles were reviewed. Percutaneous drainage is best applied to pseudocysts complicated with secondary infection and in critically ill patients or those unfit for surgery. Radiologic drainage, however, risks the introduction of secondary infection and the formation of an external pancreatic fistula, and is associated with high recurrence rates. Endoscopic transpapillary drainage is beneficial for pseudocysts that communicate with the pancreatic duct and when a dependent drainage could be established. Endoscopic transmural (transgastric or transduodenal) drainage offers good results in the management of suitably located pseudocysts that complicate chronic pancreatitis, but is associated with high rates of failure to drain, secondary infection, and recurrence when pseudocysts that complicate acute necrotizing pancreatitis are approached. Laparoscopic pseudocyst gastrostomy or pseudocyst jejunostomy achieves adequate internal drainage, facilitates concomitant debridement of necrotic tissue within acute pseudocysts, and achieves good results with minimal morbidity. A randomized controlled trial that compares laparoscopic and endoscopic drainage techniques of retrogastric pseudocysts of chronic pancreatitis is required.

Pancreatic pseudocysts and fluid collections: percutaneous approaches

Radiological imaging and intervention play important roles in the management of pancreatic fluid collections and pseudocysts. Computed tomography evaluation of the severity of pancreatitis and assessment of its course are now routine. Percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and abscesses is commonly performed as an adjunct to surgical treatment and is frequently definitive therapy. Percutaneous débridement of pancreatic necrosis has recently emerged as a viable alternative to open surgical treatment.

Failure of Percutaneous Catheter Drainage of Pancreatic Pseudocyst

Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts under CT radiologic guidance is a valuable adjunct or alternative to operative pseudocyst management. PCD failure is characterized by the development of recurrent pseudocysts or external pancreatic fistulas. The purpose of this study is to define the cause and management of PCD failure patients. A retrospective review and analysis of patients with symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts managed with PCD who required subsequent operative treatment because of PCD failure was undertaken. There were 23 study patients (18 men, 5 women) with a mean age of 44 years identified over a 13-year time period. Pancreatitis etiology was alcohol abuse in 10, gallstones in 7, pancreas divisum in 3, trauma in 2, and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in 1. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography findings were: 13 genu strictures, 4 main pancreatic duct dilations, 2 head strictures, 1 body stricture, 1 stricture in the tail, 1 intact duct, and 1 unknown. Operations used to manage PCD failures were: lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) in 9 patients, Roux-en-Y pancreatic fistula jejunostomy in 7, distal pancreatectomy in 3, caudal pancreatectomy in 2, pancreatoduodenectomy in 1, cyst gastrotomy in 1, and caudal pancreatojejunostomy in 1. Follow-up has ranged from 1 to 13 years (mean, 5 years). Five patients who underwent pancreatic fistula jejunostomy developed recurrent pseudocysts or pancreatitis. There have been no recurrent pseudocysts or fistulas in patients managed with LPJ or pancreatic resection. Genu strictures were the cause of PCD failure in the majority of patients. LPJ is the treatment of choice for genu strictures but may not always be possible because of chronic inflammatory changes. Roux-en-Y pancreatic fistula jejunostomy is an acceptable alternative. Recurrent pseudocysts in the head and body are treated with LPJ with cyst incorporation. Pancreatic resection is appropriate for certain strictures of the head, body, and pancreatic tail. Failure of PCD is associated with an underlying ductal disorder that needs to be defined preoperatively with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to select the appropriate operation.

Pancreatic pseudocysts. When and how should drainage be performed?

A better definition of a pseudocyst that clearly separates it from acute fluid collection, improvements in imaging studies, and a better understanding of the natural history of pseudocysts have changed the concepts regarding their management. The old teaching that cysts of more than 6 cm in diameter that have been present for 6 weeks should be drained is no longer true. Indications for drainage are presence of symptoms, enlargement of cyst, complications (infection, hemorrhage, rupture, and obstruction), and suspicion of malignancy. The available forms of therapy include percutaneous drainage, transendoscopic approach, and surgery. The choice of procedure of depends on a number of factors, including the general condition of the patient; size, number, and location of cysts; presence or absence of communication of the cyst with the pancreatic duct; presence or absence of infection; and suspicion of malignancy. Expertise of the radiologist and the endoscopist is also a major deciding factor in the choice of therapy. Percutaneous catheter drainage is safe and effective and should be the treatment of first choice in poor-risk patients, for immature cysts, and for infected pseudocysts. Contraindications include intracystic hemorrhage and presence of pancreatic ascites. For mature cysts, in skilled endoscopic drainage should be given the first preference. It is less invasive, less expensive, and easier to perform with better outcomes in smaller pseudocysts and pancreatic head pseudocysts. Endoscopic expertise is limited, however, and at present endoscopic drainage cannot be advocated as the procedure for general use. In the absence of endoscopic expertise, percutaneous catheter drainage is the procedure of choice. Surgical treatment has been the traditional approach and is still the preferred treatment in most centers. Multiple pseudocysts, giant pseudocysts, presence of other complications related to chronic pancreatitis in addition to pseudocyst, and suspected malignancy are best managed surgically. Surgery is also the backup management in the event that percutaneous or endoscopic drainage fails. Because radiologic diagnosis of pseudocyst may be inaccurate in 20%; it is imperative to be sure that the cystic structure is not a neoplasm before percutaneous or endoscopic drainage. There have been no prospective, randomized trials that have evaluated the results of the three major modalities of therapy (percutaneous, endoscopic, and surgical), and before one can definitely recommend percutaneous drainage or endoscopic approach as the preferred initial mode of therapy, further studies are needed.

Percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts is associated with a higher failure rate than surgical treatment in unselected patients

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim was to compare directly the effectiveness of percutaneous drainage versus surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts in unselected patients. The authors also wished to identify factors that may predict a successful outcome with percutaneous drainage.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Pancreatic pseudocysts are a common complication of pancreatitis, and recent data suggest that many pseudocysts may be observed or treated successfully by percutaneous drainage. Failures with percutaneous drainage have been recognized increasingly, and a direct comparison of percutaneous and surgical treatment was initiated to identify factors that may affect outcome with these approaches.

METHODS

A computerized index search of the medical records of patients with a diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst was performed from 1984 to 1995. One hundred seventy-three patients were identified retrospectively and assigned to treatment groups: observation (n = 41), percutaneous drainage (n = 66), or surgical treatment (n = 66). Data on demographics, clinical presentation, pseudocyst etiology and characteristics, diagnostic evaluation, management, and outcome were obtained. Treatment failure was defined as persistence of a symptomatic pseudocyst or the need for additional intervention other than the original treatment.

RESULTS

The etiology of pancreatitis, clinical presentation, and diagnostic evaluation did not differ between groups. Twenty-seven percent had documented chronic pancreatitis, and the etiology of pancreatitis was alcohol in 61% of patients. Mean pseudocyst size was 4.2 +/- 1 cm, 8.2 +/- 1.1 cm, and 7.4 +/- 1.3 cm in the observed, percutaneously treated, and surgically treated groups, respectively. Expectant treatment was successful in 93% of patients. Percutaneous drainage was successful in 42% of patients, whereas surgical treatment resulted in a success rate of 88%. Patients treated by percutaneous drainage had a higher mortality rate (16% vs. 0%), a higher incidence of complications (64% vs. 27%), and a longer hospital stay (45 +/- 5 days vs. 18 +/- 2 days) than patients treated by surgery. Eighty-seven percent of patients in whom percutaneous drainage failed required surgical salvage therapy. Multiple logistic regression analysis failed to reveal any factors significantly associated with a successful outcome after percutaneous drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous drainage results in higher mortality and morbidity rates and a longer hospital stay than surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. The clinical benefit of percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts in unselected patients has not been realized, and the role of this treatment should be established in a clinical trial.

Nonoperative management of pancreatic pseudocysts. Problems in differential diagnosis

CONCLUSION

The evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions entails a misdiagnosis risk. Awareness of the problem, knowledge of the natural history of these lesions, and meticulous posttreatment follow-up can reduce the consequences of diagnostic errors. If all these precautions are adopted, pancreatic pseudocysts can be safely treated nonoperatively.

BACKGROUND

The accurate diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions remains a problem. The aim of this study was to ascertain the incidence of and the reasons the diagnostic errors occurred in a series of pseudocysts drained percutaneously and to compare these data to those reported in the literature.

METHODS

Data from 70 patients bearing one or more pseudocysts who underwent a percutaneous drainage were reviewed. The pretreatment workup included medical history, physical examination, ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) scans, amylase assay in both the serum and the cystic fluid, culture and cytology of the cystic fluid. After removal of the drainage, the minimum follow-up period was 12 mo.

RESULTS

Four patients died, and two cancer-associated pseudocysts were identified before removal of the drainage. Sixty-four patients were followed up for a mean of 51.9 mo (range 12-154 mo). A third cancer and a mucinous cystic tumor, fully communicating with the main duct, were further detected during this period.

Endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocysts

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic pseudocysts may produce pain, or biliary or duodenal obstruction. Those over 6 cm in diameter or associated with chronic pancreatitis are unlikely to resolve and usually require intervention. There are a number of treatment modalities available and this paper reviews the role of endoscopic drainage.

METHODS

All articles and case reports quoted on Medline (National Library of Medicine, Washington DC, USA) containing the text words 'endoscopy' and 'pseudocyst', and citations from these references were reviewed.

RESULTS

Endoscopic drainage is technically feasible in around 50 per cent of pancreatic pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis. Successful drainage occurred in 82-89 percent. The major complication is bleeding which required surgery for control in 5 per cent of procedures. One death attributable to the procedure has been reported. Recurrence rates range from 6 to 18 per cent with up to 4 years' follow-up. As in open surgery, recurrence is highest with drainage via the stomach.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic drainage provides a minimally invasive approach to pseudocyst management, with success and recurrence rates similar to those of open surgery but with lower morbidity and mortality rates. It should be considered the treatment of choice for pseudocysts less than 1 cm thick which bulge into the stomach or duodenum, or for those which communicate with the main pancreatic duct.

Role of ultrasonographically guided fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of infected pancreatic necrosis

BACKGROUND

Early detection of infected pancreatic necrosis has a major impact on further management and outcome in acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of ultrasonographically guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis over an 8-year period.

METHODS

From January 1988 to September 1996 193 (mean 2.0 (range 1-9) aspirations per patient) prospectively assessed FNACs guided ultrasonographically were performed in 98 patients with necrotizing pancreatitis proven by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Aspirates were considered infected if either Gram stain and/or culture revealed micro-organisms.

RESULTS

Ultrasonographically guided FNAC correctly diagnosed infection in 29 of 33 patients with infected necrosis a median of 13 days after onset of symptoms. Of 61 patients with sterile necrosis 55 were identified correctly as sterile by FNAC. There were six false-positive and four false-negative aspirates of which nine occurred during the first week of the disease. In four patients who did not undergo operation FNAC revealed Gram-negative organisms; however, in the absence of repeated aspirations, the positive results remained unconfirmed. An overall sensitivity of 88 per cent and a specificity of 90 per cent was obtained. No difference was found in biochemical and clinical parameters indicating systemic inflammatory response syndrome before each FNAC between patients with proven sterile or infected necrosis. All patients tolerated the procedure well and no major complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonographically guided FNAC is a fast and reliable technique for the diagnosis of infected necrosis. As complication rates are very low, the procedure can be repeated at short intervals to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Ultrasonographically guided FNAC is recommended for all patients with necrotizing pancreatitis in whom systemic inflammatory response syndrome persists beyond the first week after onset of symptoms.

The efficacy of endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts is a new nonsurgical treatment modality. We retrospectively studied the efficacy of endoscopic drainage of pseudocysts in 37 patients with chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS

Endoscopic retrograde pancreatic drainage was performed in 12 patients, endoscopic cystogastrostomy in 10 patients, and endoscopic cystoduodenostomy in 7 patients. In the remaining 8 patients, combinations of drainage routes were used.

RESULTS

ECG failed in 3 patients. Procedure-related complications were seen in 6 patients: bleeding in 3, perforation in 2, and apnea in 1 patient. There was no procedure-related mortality. Seven patients had complications in relation to stents or drains: pseudocyst infection due to stent clogging in 2, stent migration in 4, and kinking of the drain in 1 patient. Twenty-four patients had complete resolution of pseudocysts, 7 had partial resolution, and 6 had no resolution. Three patients had pseudocyst recurrences. Mean follow-up was 32 months. Finally, 10 patients underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic drainage was technically feasible in 92% of the patients. Procedure-related morbidity was 16% and mortality was 0%. Endoscopic drainage was a definitive treatment for two thirds of the patients (65%). Surgery can be reserved for those patients in whom endoscopic therapy fails.

Surgical management of the pancreatic pseudocyst in children: a long-term evaluation

Pseudocyst of the pancreas is an uncommon disorder in children. During the period of 1977 to 1990, the authors reviewed the records of 10 consecutive patients with pancreatic pseudocyst (PP) who were surgically treated in our institution. In 8 patients, the surgical procedure that was used was transgastric cystogastrostomy, and in 1 patient it was total excision of the pseudocyst. The remaining 1 patient underwent external drainage. After an average follow-up of previous operation except the 1 patient who was treated with external drainage. Biochemical tests, abdominal ultrasonographies, and barium meals were also normal in 9 patients. The analysis of the results indicates that despite new percutaneous therapeutic modalities, it is still an internal drainage through transgastric cystogastrostomy that should be favored in treatment of PP in children.

Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with cis-diamminedichloro-platinum. II. An experimental study in dogs with a balloon-occlusion technique for repeated high-dose treatment

Isolated organ perfusion is attractive for regional high-dose chemotherapy because of its advantage to reduce whole body toxicity. Intraoperative hyperthermic isolated perfusion procedures involving a heart-lung machine have been developed, but repeated treatments carry a high risk of vessel and tissue damage. Therefore, a study of isolated hyperthermic limb perfusion in four dogs was conducted using a balloon-occlusion technique including a hyperthermia unit, two low-flow rotary pumps, a bubble oxygenator, and two polyurethane balloon catheters. After 15 min infusion of cisplatinum the concentrations of serum platinum (Pt) in the isolated limb and in the whole body were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Regional exposure to Pt was more than 10-fold higher than systemic exposure. After 60 min isolated limb perfusion, the area under the curve (AUC) of Pt concentrations in the isolated limb showed values between 767.4 and 1055.6 micrograms/l x 60 min, whereas in the whole body values between 59.8 and 75.9 micrograms/l x 60 min were obtained. Repeated isolated limb perfusions with the balloon-occlusion technique were performed in three dogs without systemic side effects. This model of regional chemotherapy may be useful for preoperative chemotherapy in malignant tumors of the limbs.

Modern management of pancreatic pseudocysts

Pseudocysts may develop as a complication of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic trauma. As new methods of imaging provide fuller information on their incidence and natural history, important differences are emerging between the pseudocysts of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Traditional surgical approaches to the management of pseudocyst are now being challenged by endoscopic techniques and interventional radiology. In the light of these developments the options available are reviewed and strategies for the modern management of pancreatic pseudocysts are suggested.